By Dori Modney

Apprenticeship program for young agrarians

Jan 19, 2022 | 5:29 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — For those who grew up on a farm, they know what to expect if that becomes their chosen profession. However, more and more young people are looking for a different way of life that matches their ecological and back-to-the-earth mind-set but, they don’t have the background.

Those aspiring young farmers who want first hand experience to help them make the transition have a program they can take advantage of. The Young Agrarians organization is offering opportunities for those in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The Young Agrarian network offers live-in farm mentorships that provide advanced, hands-on arm apprenticeships in regenerative agriculture. The apprenticeships generally last from eight to 12 months, but there are also four to six month programs, which are full immersion and put the apprentice into the heart of running a farm business.

Carefully selected family farm mentors provide diverse expertise and skill sets, they share their farm philosophy, which recognizes the connectedness of the land and people.

Farm activities will be different on each farm, depending where individual apprenticeships take place. However, core activities involve care of soil, pasture and livestock, farm direct marketing, and using sustainable practices for cereal, grain, and vegetables.

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Those who participate, will visit other farms that are also hosting apprentices, offering the opportunity to learn from other ecological farms, exposure to different perspectives and practices, as well as providing connections with other apprentices in the program.

The deadline to apply for the Apprenticeship Program is January 31, 2022.

Host farms will conduct video or phone interviews with applicants. Confirmation of successful applicants will be in February.

Apprentice start dates vary by farm, however are generally April or May 2022.

For more information contact:

Kolby Peterson, YA Alberta Apprenticeship Coordinator (For AB inquiries)
Email: apprenticeship@youngagrarians.org

Sara Yagelniski, YA MB Apprenticeship Coordinator (For MB & SK inquiries)
Email: manitoba@youngagrarians.org

Dana Penrice, YA Prairies Program Manager (For SK and MB inquiries)
Email: prairies@youngagrarians.org

More information on the program, how to apply and how to become a mentor, can be found on the Young Apprenticeship Program website.